IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN

 1) Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide students with knowledge of soil hydrology, crop irrigation requirements, and the main irrigation techniques. Students will also acquire knowledge of the criteria for the design and sizing of irrigation systems, as well as of their operation and maintenance, with particular reference to sprinkler irrigation and surface and subsurface micro-irrigation systems. The course will also provide knowledge of the use of non-conventional water resources in agriculture.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding

At the end of the course, students will be able to assess crop irrigation requirements and use this information for the design of an irrigation system. They will also be able to apply design and sizing criteria for the development of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.

3) Making judgements

At the end of the course, students will be able to assess the characteristics of the crop and the irrigation context and identify the most appropriate type of irrigation system, justifying their choice according to the crop requirements.

4) Communication skills

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the technical language and specific terminology required to describe, design, and manage an irrigation system. These skills will be developed particularly through practical exercises and meetings with professionals from the sector organized as part of the course.

5) Learning skills

At the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to independently explore the topics covered in the course, also through the consultation of additional textbooks and technical manuals available online. The ability to learn independently will be further encouraged through seminars organized as part of the course.

 - Contribution to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development 

 Goal No. 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITARY SERVICES

 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating uncontrolled discharge practices and minimising the release of chemicals and hazardous materials, halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increase recycling and safe reuse globally

 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water efficiency for use in all sectors and ensure freshwater withdrawals and supply to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

 6.a By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity building in support of developing countries on water and related sanitation, including water harvesting systems, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

 6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

  GOAL 13: FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related risks and natural disasters in all countries

  GOAL 14: LIFE UNDER WATER

14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine litter and nutrient pollution of waters

 GOAL 15: LIFE ON EARTH

15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soils, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a world without land degradation

MODALITIES:

- lecture

- dedicated seminar

- study visit

- study materials

The course, corresponding to 6 ECTS credits, consists of a total of 63 hours of teaching activities, including 21 hours of lectures and 42 hours of practical exercises.

Teaching activities will be delivered through lectures supported by multimedia tools and projection equipment. Practical exercises will be aimed at the operational application of the topics covered and will include the use of electronic spreadsheets and specific open-source software for the analysis, design, and management of irrigation systems.

The course may also include seminars delivered by experts and professionals from the sector, aimed at illustrating case studies, practical applications, and technological innovations in the field of irrigation and agricultural water resources management.

Should the course be delivered in blended or distance-learning mode, appropriate organizational and methodological adjustments may be introduced in order to ensure compliance with the intended learning outcomes and the contents specified in this syllabus.

PREREQUISITES

Students are expected to have basic knowledge of hydraulics and hydrology. Good familiarity with common computer tools is also required, particularly with the use of electronic spreadsheets for data processing and analysis. Basic knowledge of GIS, preferably using open-source software, is useful..

Attendance is not mandatory. However, it is strongly recommended, particularly for practical exercises, as these activities are essential for acquiring the methodological and practical skills required for the design, hydraulic sizing, and management of irrigation systems.

The course will consist of lectures and practical classes and will cover the following topics:

• Water flow in unsaturated soil.
• Assessment of crop water requirements.
• Overview of the characteristics and management practices of collective and farm irrigation systems.
• Surface irrigation and pressurised irrigation methods.
• Design, sizing, and management criteria for sprinkler irrigation systems.
• Design and management criteria for micro-irrigation systems, with particular reference to surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems.
• Filtration systems and the risk of clogging of filters and emitters; main management practices.
• Fertigation and fertigation equipment.
• Deficit irrigation techniques.
• Precision irrigation.
• Use of non-conventional water resources for irrigation.
• Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for the treatment and recovery of wastewater for agricultural purposes.

1. Cirelli G.L. - Dispense del corso  • 
2. Melby P.  - Simplified irrigation design Ed. JOHN WILEY &SONS
3. Capra A., Scicolone B. -  Progettazione e gestione degli impianti di microirrigazione. Ed. EDAGRICOLE •
4. Hargreaves G.H., MerkleyG.P. . Irrigation Fundamentals. Ed. WATER RESOURCES PUB, LLC 
5. Ferro V. Elementi di idraulica e idrologia per le scienze agrarie, ambientali e forestali Ed. McGraw-Hill, 2013, ISBN 978-8838668395.
6. Santelli P. Irrigazione del verde ornamentale. Ed. Flaccovio, Palermo, 2016
   

A written test and an oral exam to which only students who have achieved a score higher than 18/30 in the written test will be admitted. Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

The evaluation follows the following scheme 

Assessment of the crop water requirements

Gravity irrigation systems

Erogation Uniformity of a sprinkler system

Flow-pressure relationship of an emitter

Design and sizing of a sprinkler irrigation sector

Design and sizing of a drip irrigation sector

Deficit irrigation